The Osceola times., 1887-07-02
MANAGEMENT OF FAIRS.
Why Farmers should Take Charge Of
County and District Exhibitions.

county anu ulstrlct agricultural falfs.
The statement is made that they have
passed out Of the hands of farmers and
are controlled by the owners of fast
horses. sporting men and people who
do business In the nearest town. Many
complaints are made concerning the
immoral tendencies of fairs when pool
selling is allowed. Permits are given
for Objectionable side-shows, privileges
for selling worthless articles are sold.
and games of chance are permitted.
Many exhibitors complain of want of
suitable accommodations for them
selves and their stock. Of the lack Of
capacity. knowledge, judgment. and
honesty on the part of the judges. OF
delay in having the fairgrounds put in
suitable condition, and in reduction in
the premiums offered. Many complain
because the fairs are generally noisy
and disorderly and because the ex-
ercises of each day do not conform
with the published programme. Many
state that the best space in the exhibi-
ton building is generally occupied by
goods OF merchants. to the exclusion Of
farm, garden, orchard and dairy pro-
ducts. They declare that fairs should
be principally for educating people in
matters pertaining to agriculture and
not for furnishing amusements or for
advertising and selling goods.
There are good grounds for most OF
these complaints, but it seems aston
ishing that the people who make them
do not interest themselves in institut-
Ing the reforms they appear to desire
intelligent farmers, gardeners and
stock-raisers in each county should
control the fair, and should they un-
dertake to do so it is not likely that
they would meet with any opposition.
To accomplish the best results it is ad-
visable for them to organize a county
agricultural society, which should not
limit its labors to holding an annual
fair. The society should hold regular
meetings for hearing lectures, discuss
ing various matters pertaining to farm
ing, gardening and stock-raising, and
for considering business matters and
legislation that affect the interests in
which they are engaged. Working
committees should be appointed TO test
new varieties Of plants, to consider the
merits of rival breeds of animals, to
experiment with machines and imple-
ments, and to make reports on them.
An association of men organized for
the purpose of promoting agriculture
and stock-raising would be likely to
conduct county fair that would be OF
great value to themselves and the COM
munity, and one that would be free
from all Objectionable features.
Such an association could be in.
corporated as joint stock society fol
the purpose of buying and improving
grounds and holding annual agricul
tural fairs. The number of share:
should be large and the price compar
atively small, so as to allow every en-
terprising farmer in the county to own
at least one. By adopting this plan the
majority of the farmers in county
would become directly interested in thu
welfare Of the society and the success,
Of the fair They would become bet
ter acquainted. and would be better
prepared to work for the advancement
of agriculture and kindred industries
They could decide how a fair should b'
conducted that would accomplish thu
best results. They could arrange fo
using their grounds and buildings TO
other purposes than accommodating!
exhibitors and patrons of the annua
fair. At a comparatively small eX
pense they could erect a building tha
could be used for meetings of the SO
ciety and for the display of some article
exhibited at the fairs. When attending
these meetings they could stable thei
horses in the stalls erected for animal
brought for exhibitions. A building
answering the purposes of the clul
house in most racing parks is very dc
srable in an inclosure used for holdin
fairs. 1t need not be Il costly affair
but it should contain a kitchen, dining
room and large apartment for hold
ing meetings.
1t is very desirable TO have a famil
live in building located on the fair
grounds and have the general care G
them during the entire year. TIL
grounds should be kept in good cor
dition all the time. The fences an
buildings should not be allowed TO &c
out of repair. as they frequently d
when the premises are deserted eXeep
during the weeks when the fair is il
progress. The grass on the ground
should be cut and saved at the propc
time. the weeds killed, and the track
kept in good condition. Before tn
fair is held every thing about tn,
grounds should be put in order. Afte
it is over the manure should be re
moved from the pens where the ami
mails were kept and the buildings
whitewashed. The time Of one MAJ
could be employed to excellent advan
tage during the entire year in keeping
the buildings and grounds in good con
diton. II a building is used tor tn,
accommodation of the members of tn,
association, woman will be needed Il
take charge of it. lfit is provided
with cooking utensils, dishes, tables
and chairs, she could prepare meals
for the members of the association
whenever they have meetings. The